Surname Wiehn - Meaning and Origin
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Wiehn: What does the surname Wiehn mean?
The last name Wiehn is of German origin and is derived from the German word ‘wie’ meaning ‘wide’ or ‘extensive’. It is believed to be a nickname, ornamented surname or a habitational name. The German word ‘wie’ may also be linked to the word ‘wiehen’ which translated to ‘pile of wood’ and may have been used to indicate that the original bearer of the surname may have possessed a large wood pile.
The surname Wiehn is predominantly found in Germany. Records indicate that it first appeared in Germany in the mid-17th century, making it a relatively recent surname. First found in Westphalia in the 15th century, members of the Wiehn family were later recorded in the Prussian provinces of East Prussia and West Prussia.
The Wiehn surname is spread throughout Germany, however those with the surname are most often found in the Westphalia region. In those areas, the surname is largely concentrated in the states of Lower Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia.
The popularity of the Wiehn family name led to the formation of a number of distinct branches across Europe, which includes Wiehn Messing, Wiehn Bofer and Wiehn Kranz among others. Over time, the surname has been an important part of the history of the region and its local families.
Order DNA origin analysisWiehn: Where does the name Wiehn come from?
The last name Wiehn is a fairly uncommon name and can be found in a few areas of the world today. One of the most common locations for this name is Germany, where it can be found in Bavaria, Berlin, and other parts of the country. The name is also present in nearby countries, such as Austria, where it is derived from the German form of the name.
In North America, the name can be found in the United States, mostly among people of German ancestry who migrated to the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries. The name is not particularly common, but there are some people who still carry the name, and can be found primarily in eastern states such as Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio.
On the other side of the world, the name is also present in Australia. According to the Australia Ancestry website, the name is quite rare but can be found among people of German descent who settled in Australia in the 18th century. There are fewer than 100 people with the last name listed in Australia’s records.
Overall, the last name Wiehn is not particularly common, but it can be found in a few areas of the world today including Germany, the United States, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Wiehn
Wiehn is a German surname which is believed to have originated in the Franconian region of Germany. This surname occurs in various forms and spellings, including Wiehm, Wien, Wehn, Wehne, Woin and Woyn.
The main variants in spelling would be the caffeinated variants, Wehn, Wehne and Woin. These respectively are derivatives of the German words 'wehe', which means 'sigh', and 'winen', which means 'weep'. Another common variant is the double 'n' or 'nn' spelling, which is an indication of the palatalisation, which is a type of sound change, in which nasal consonants are inserted in certain words. This variant is considered to be more of an archaic spelling and is rarely used today.
The surnames Wien, Woyn and Wiehm are all slight variations of the original Wiehn surname. Wien is a shortened form of the original surname Wiehn and refers to a place located in the Bavarian region of Germany. Woyn is also a variant of Wiehn and is derived from the German word 'woyne', which means 'host' or 'inhabitant'. Lastly, Wiehm is believed to be a softened form of the original Wiehn and is derived from the German word 'wehe', which means 'fear'.
Overall, Wiehn is a surname of German origin and has various variants and spellings, including Wiehm, Wien, Wehn, Wehne, Woin and Woyn.
Famous people with the name Wiehn
- Matthias Wiehn: German physicist who specializes in computational physics and sustainable energy.
- Lukas Wiehn: German actor and comedian who appeared in television shows such as Der letzte Bulle and In aller Freundschaft.
- Arnold Wiehn: German bishop of Würzburg from 1997 to 2011.
- Johannes Wiehn: German politician who served as Member of the Landtag of Hesse in 1984.
- Elisabeth Wiehn: German lawyer and judge who was a presiding judge of the regional court of Frankfurt am Main.
- Pamela Wiehn: German triathlete who competed in the Olympic Games in 2000 and 2004.
- Ulf Wiehn: German footballer who played as a midfielder for FC Schalke 04 and Rot Weiss Ahlen.
- Tom Wiehn: German writer and illustrator of picture books.
- Martina Wiehn: German writer of picture books, poetry and novels.
- Stephanie Wiehn: German alpine skier who competed at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2007.